A protectorate is a smaller territory that receives military and diplomatic protection from a larger nation in exchange for some political independence. The relationship is formalized with a treaty and can benefit both parties. The Protectorate was a period in English history when England, Ireland, and Scotland were governed by a Lord Protector from 1653-59. Oliver Cromwell was the first Lord Protector, and his son Richard succeeded him but was unable to effectively govern, leading to the restoration of the monarchy in 1659.
A protectorate is a nation, region or territory that receives military and diplomatic protection from a larger nation acting in the role of protector. The relationship is often formalized with a treaty, whereby the smaller territory remains mostly autonomous and self-governing, but can agree to lose some political independence in exchange for the services of the protector. Treaties are usually drafted so that the relationship is recognized under international law. The Protectorate is also known as a period in English history during which the Commonwealth of England – England, Ireland and Scotland – was governed by a Lord Protector. This short period lasted from 1653-59.
Small nations typically enter into a protectorate relationship for obvious reasons: They can benefit from economic, political and military protection. Larger nations, on the other hand, become protectors for a wider variety of reasons. A larger nation might enjoy playing the role of the Good Samaritan to enhance its international image and political clout. Protectorates can also be used by protectors to fight a political or military enemy. In this scenario, a protectorate could be strategically located in a region that the protector can use as a base for military operations, or it could be territory that the protector deems necessary to garrison to prevent it from falling under enemy control.
The protectorate relationship and its various manifestations have gone by many different names. Tributary, vassal, colonial, and Commonwealth states are all essentially forms of protectorate relationships, where a larger nation is given some autonomy in exchange for economic, political, and military services. A sovereignty – in which a territory is controlled internationally by a ruler, or ruler, but is allowed to govern itself domestically – is virtually identical to the relationship of a protectorate to its protector. Some protectorates are also referred to as insular areas.
The Protectorate Period in England lasted from 1653 to 1659. It was defined by the formation of the Commonwealth of England, which came to incorporate England, Scotland and Ireland. The Commonwealth of England initially began in England in 1649, with the beheading of King Charles I and the overthrow of the English monarchy. At that time, Parliament declared the government a Commonwealth and a Republic.
By 1653, the Commonwealth had come to include Ireland and Scotland. During that time, military and political leader Oliver Cromwell seized power under the title of Lord Protector. Cromwell divided the Commonwealth into military regions to be governed by major generals answerable directly to Cromwell. When Cromwell died in 1658, the position of Lord Protector was passed down to his son Richard. Richard, however, was unable to effectively command the Commonwealth, which ushered in the restoration of the monarchy in 1659 under the rule of King Charles II.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
